Employer Perspectives: The Role of the Rural Community College in Preparing a Global Workforce

This qualitative study examined employers’ perspectives when asked to articulate
the importance of a globally competent workforce, and to identify global competencies
needed for their workers. The role of the rural community college in preparing that
workforce was of equal interest. The eight participants were located in a rural region in
the Midwest, with a community college in their service area. The results of this study can be valuable to leaders in community colleges as they develop curriculum and programming designed to prepare students to be competitive and successful in the global economy and society.